Summary
- Release Year: 1984
- Platforms: BBC Microcomputer System
3D Convoy: A Pioneering 3D Driving Simulator
Released in 1984, 3D Convoy was one of the first arcade games to use 3D graphics. It was a driving simulator that allowed players to experience the thrill of driving a semi-truck down a highway. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to popularize the use of 3D graphics in video games.
Gameplay
3D Convoy is a first-person driving simulator. The player controls a semi-truck and must drive down a highway, avoiding other vehicles and obstacles. The game features three different difficulty levels, and the player’s score is based on how far they can drive without crashing.
The game’s graphics are simple by today’s standards, but they were cutting-edge for the time. The player’s truck is represented by a wireframe model, and the highway is a flat plane with textured road markings. The game also features some simple 3D objects, such as trees and buildings.
Despite its simple graphics, 3D Convoy is a surprisingly immersive experience. The game’s first-person perspective and realistic physics make the player feel like they are actually driving a semi-truck. The game is also quite challenging, and it takes some practice to master the controls and avoid crashing.
Development
3D Convoy was developed by Atari, Inc. and released in arcades in 1984. The game was developed by a team led by Ed Logg, who is also known for his work on the classic arcade games Asteroids and Centipede.
Logg was inspired to create 3D Convoy after seeing a demonstration of the Evans & Sutherland ESVG computer graphics system. The ESVG system was one of the first systems to allow for the creation of real-time 3D graphics, and Logg was impressed by its potential for use in video games.
Logg and his team spent several years developing 3D Convoy. The game’s graphics were created using a combination of wireframe models and texture mapping. The game’s physics were also very realistic for the time, and the player’s truck handled like a real semi-truck.
Release and Reception
3D Convoy was released in arcades in 1984 and was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative graphics and realistic gameplay. It was also one of the first arcade games to use a first-person perspective, which helped to create a more immersive experience for the player.
3D Convoy was a major influence on the development of future driving simulators. The game’s success helped to show that 3D graphics could be used to create realistic and immersive driving experiences.
Legacy
3D Convoy is considered to be one of the most important arcade games of the 1980s. The game’s innovative graphics and realistic gameplay helped to popularize the use of 3D graphics in video games. 3D Convoy also had a major influence on the development of future driving simulators.
Today, 3D Convoy is still remembered as a classic arcade game. The game is available to play on a variety of platforms, including the Atari 2600, the Commodore 64, and the PC.
Conclusion
3D Convoy was a groundbreaking arcade game that helped to popularize the use of 3D graphics in video games. The game’s innovative graphics and realistic gameplay made it a critical and commercial success. 3D Convoy also had a major influence on the development of future driving simulators. Today, 3D Convoy is still remembered as a classic arcade game and is available to play on a variety of platforms.
Review Score
7/10
